Broke my Vauen

[InWithBothFeet]

The bit has always been loose on this and has been getting worse, so I did the trick of heating the tenon to enlarge it a bit. That shrunk it further, so I proceeded to incrementally insert a drill bit into the tenon 1/64" at a time while hot. That worked fantastically and the bit was finally snug in the stummel... until I heard the "snap". The stummel and tenon were off center and the thin side of the stummel cracked. Oof... I liked this acorn. I guess I'll be searching for a non-vauen acorn.

 

[burleybreath]

I'd just have it banded, if it smokes as well as the Vauen I have.

 

[Hillcrest]

You might be able to just glue that crack shut with a clamp. That appears to be a vauen Olaf. I have the 4873 bent egg. My stem became loose too. I assumed it was because I accidentally stepped on it when I left it outside. When it cools off its a bit loose; when smoking it tightens up. I just deal with it. Still a great pipe. You could have added some CA glue to the tenon, let dry, then reinsert. Vauen may be able to repair it for you as well.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

It's a Mocca 5241.... I have looked at everything smoking pipes has and nothing I see is similar. I'm still pondering my choices. I have a 5268 bulldog also and it too had a loose tenon. Beeswax helped that one.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

You could fit a silver band over the stemmel, as a way to keep the crack from expanding. Will make it look like a Peterson but will also give it a nice touch, I think.

 

[Sobrbiker]

After learning from @georged about “painting” the mortise with thin CA, I’ll never try to heat and mechanically widen a vulcanite tenon again.
When George speaks, I listen…YouTube pipe “hacks” have ruined a couple pipes for me.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Maybe cut up a copper pipe (the ones for plumbing, not tobacco) and fit it around the stummel. It goes better with the look of the Vauen than silver does. You could even use metal stamps to engrave letters and symbols, personalizing your pipe. If you like it this much, that is.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Fixed it with a band of gorilla tape. I don't have the skill nor the will to fit a band to it. It'll probably just get chucked.

 

[Sobrbiker]

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

You could also do a temporary (and maybe prettier) repair with some waxed rope. Tie a knot as shown in THIS video (time stamp 7:57). Best of luck to you.

 

[dottlejockey]

Poor little Vauen. Well, short of sending it out for a band repair, you can always just keep replacing the tape as needed and smoke away, i suppose.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

You could also do a temporary (and maybe prettier) repair with some waxed rope. Tie a knot as shown in THIS video (time stamp 7:57). Best of luck to you.

We use wax lacing tape all the time in my industry. Had some in the other room. It actually worked pretty well.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Glad it could be of help! I repaired many things with a bit of waxed rope and this type of knot.

 

[Hillcrest]

Fixed it with a band of gorilla tape. I don't have the skill nor the will to fit a band to it. It'll probably just get chucked.


View attachment 441100

Smokingpipes.eu has 15% off everything currently if that helps. The repair looks good and would work for me for a working pipe.

 

[Waning Embers]

so I did the trick of heating the tenon to enlarge it a bit.

Doesn't work on acrylic or filter tenons.

I’ll never try to heat and mechanically widen a vulcanite tenon again.

No need for anything other than heat with vulcanite. It exploits the material's shape memory trait. Some will heat then either press the end of the tenon or try to widen it with a drill bit but neither are necessary.